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Suffrage (Introducing compulsory voting (Compulsory voting is used in…
Suffrage
Introducing compulsory voting
Compulsory voting is used in Australia. This means a fine is given to any eligible voter who does not turn in their ballot paper.
One argument against compulsary voting is that it can lead to more uninformed votes
People may make uneducated votes because they HAVE to vote.
Another argument against is that it causes an increase of invalid votes
It may help solve the 'participation crisis' by increasing the turn out of voters at elections.
The cost of enforcing compulsary voting can place a burden on public finances
Some say it is un-democratic to force people to vote
Can we expect ALL eligible voters to hand in their ballot paper within 24 hours?
what would be seen as a 'valid and sufficent' resason for those who have failed to vote
Many changes would have to happen if voting were to become compulsory
Expanding the vote to include women
Established in 1903 and led by Emmaline Pankhurst
In 1908, colours were set up to represent the movement, purple (dignity), white (purity) and green (hope)
They used violent methods of protesting and many thought they were unfeminine.
Forms of protest
Hunger strikes
Marches
Damaging property
Hid in parliament
Chained themselves to fences
For the women's vote
God sees women as equal
Women already have the vote in local elections
Women pay taxes
Some women contribute to society more than men
Other countries have given women the vote
Against the women's vote
Women don't fight in wars
Too ignorant of politics to make an informed vote
If women are given a vote, the gentle women won't vote, only violent suffragettes
Many women wouldn't use the vote if they got it
A woman's place is in the home
Expanding the vote to include prisoners
The European court declared that disallowing the right to vote for prisoners is an infringement of liberty.
2012 YouGov poll showed 63%of people thought no prisoner should have the vote
committing a serious crime shows the lack of respect some prisoners have for society
John Hurst, who was serving life for manslaughter. The court declared that the blanket ban on prisoners participating in elections violated human rights and was illegal. Despite similar judgements in subsequent cases, the UK refused to enforce the ruling.
voting is not a privilege, its a human right (the right of democracy)
Could make prison less of a deterrent to potential criminals.
Addresses more issues to do with prisons like racial profiling, abuse from prison staff, and prison overcrowding to gain the votes
Prisoners can be manipulated by police because of their ultimate authority.
Expanding the vote to include 16-17 year olds
FOR
young people are now better informed about politics than ever before.
lowering the voting age will increase the under 25 years participation statistics
the development of social media enables younger people to participate
if a person at 16 years of age can legally have sex, join the army , get married etc they should be ale to vote and contribute to society.
young peoples votes can counter
balance the older conservatives
the 16 year old's who vote are likely to know what they are voting for . As most people who don't understand the votes don't vote at all.
Scottish youth parliament case study
“I think it’s paramount that young people have a say in the running of their country and who
represents them. We are engaged and interested and despite what people say, we’re mature
enough to make an informed decision. At 16, we can get married and we can fight for our
country, but we’re still denied the right to vote, which I think is ludicrous. It’s time for the
youth to be listened to permanently.”
AGAINST
Young people under 18 could be persuaded and easily manipulated
Many don't have enough political knowledge as they have have not taken the time to research about as they may not have an interest
Social media can easily sway younger people as there are many social media influences and persuasive posts
Many issues are too complex for younger people to understand
Not mature enough to have the responsibility of voting - too young to make rational judgements as they don't have enough life experiences
Very few people this age pay tax so they have a lower stake in society
There is an argument that the young can tend to be excessively radical as they have not had enough experience to consider issues carefully
18 is the age of adulthood therefore the voting age should also be kept at 18 as you are a legal adult.